Lee Joon, Cheondung to leave MBLAQ

K-pop boy band MBLAQ members Lee Joon and Cheondung announced on Tuesday that they would leave the five-member group following the expiration of their contracts with the label J. Tune Camp.

Lee and Cheondung's exclusive contracts with J. Tune Camp ended in late November.

Lee plans to devote himself to acting in the currently airing MBC drama "Mr. Back" while Cheondung will focus on studying music for a while, said their legal representative.

It is not immediately known whether the two will again sign a contract with J. Tune Camp and continue to be managed by the agency. Despite the departure of the two members, MBLAQ will not disband, the agency said.

Rumours first surfaced in October that the two would leave the group. The agency denied the speculation, stating that Lee and Cheondung were in talks with the company about their future activities.

But Lee and Cheondung hinted that they would end their five-year career as members of MBLAQ at their last concerts, held on Nov. 29 and 30.

"I don't know what to say. Some loved us from the beginning, but some didn't. Anyway, we are here, enjoying our time together and crying together. I am honoured to be here with you. Thank you for being by our side from 2009 until now," Lee told the audience at the concert.

Cheondung also made a tearful remark to the fans at the concert. "It is not easy to support someone steadily for five years. You (fans) gave us strength. Thank you for being with us for the last five years. Hope I can continue to see you again," he said.

MBLAQ's remaining members are Seungho, G.O and Mir. Formed by hallyu star Rain, the group debuted in 2009 with the EP "Just BLAQ" under J. Tune Camp.